Former club owner awaits sentencing on arson, tax evasion charges

ATLANTA - A former nude dance club owner who once offered money to have former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell hurt, was expected to be sentenced in federal court Tuesday for arson and tax evasion. <br> <br> Michael Childs, who owned Nikki&#39;s VIP and the Gentlemen&#39;s Club, pleaded guilty in February 2000 to evading taxes and to paying an arsonist to torch a competitor&#39;s businesses. <br> <br> He also was recorded telling a government informant that he would pay $20,000 to have Campbell injured. Childs was not charged in connection with the offer. <br> <br> Childs could face a minimum of 5 years in prison along with a fine of up to $500,000 for destroying commercial property by fire. He also faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the tax charge. <br> <br> Childs was on the government&#39;s witness list in the Gold Club case and cooperated with authorities in a federal child prostitution case. He also has been cooperating in a federal probe of Atlanta government corruption.